Lens Metric Scores

Further readings for the Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f1.8

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.

We’ve analyzed the image quality of 33 lens models, around 70% of the current range using the native MFT mount, on the new Olympus OM-D EM-10. Read on to find out which of those lenses perform best and which, if any, you should try and avoid when paired with the new camera.

Following the lens recommendations for Lumix DMC-GX7 we’ve now analyzed the image quality of Panasonic’s diminutive GM1 with over 33 lenses to assess the imaging characteristics specifically with the new camera. Read on to find out which of those models you should be using, and which, if any, you should try and avoid.

After evaluating Panasonic’s high-end Leica 15mm f1.7 Summilux lens, we’ve continued the theme by assessing the firm’s ultra-high speed stabilized 42.5mm f1.2 Nocticron model. Read on to find out if this new lens can contend with the best offerings from its partner and rival Olympus.

Street photography is an appealing genre for many photographers, and has become increasingly popular in recent years thanks to the proliferation of small high quality digital cameras and lenses. We’ve put together a concise round up of moderate wide-angle and telephoto lenses from each of the major camera systems. Read on to see which of the models we’ve chosen and what to expect from them in terms of image quality.

We’ve had the opportunity to analyze the image quality of Panasonic’s high-end 16-Mpix Lumix DMC-GX7 mirrorless camera with over 70% of the native mount lenses that are currently available (for it). We’ve scrutinized a total of 33 Panasonic, Olympus and Sigma made lenses to assess the imaging characteristics specifically with the new camera. Read on to find out which of those models you should be using, and which, if any, you should try and avoid.

We’ve had the opportunity to analyze the image quality of Panasonic’s high-end 16-Mpix Lumix DMC-GX7 mirrorless camera with over 70% of the native mount lenses that are currently available (for it). We’ve scrutinized a total of 33 Panasonic, Olympus and Sigma made lenses to assess the imaging characteristics specifically with the new camera. Read on to find out which of those models you should be using, and which, if any, you should try and avoid.

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 is the new flagship model in the range and features a newly-designed pro-grade body and a modified 16-Mpix sensor incorporating on-chip phase-detection pixels for backwards compatibility with the firm’s 4:3 lenses.

While we’ve not analyze the performance of those earlier lenses on the E-M1, we have assessed the image quality of 33 models (more than 70% of the current range) using the native MFT mount.

Read onto find out which of those lenses perform best when paired with the camera.

The depth of high quality primes and zooms for the PEN is, arguably, the most compelling reason to invest in the Micro Four Thirds system over rival mirrorless camera offerings. If you’re already a PEN E-P5 owner or you’re looking for advice or insights in lens performance in advance, this guide will aid you in making the right choice. Read onto find out which lens models in the range perform best optically.

Announced in February 2012 the Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 75mm f/1.8 is a ‘fast’ telephoto prime for the Micro Four Thirds Lens mount. With an equivalent 150mm focal length it’s a good option for portraiture or sports and the wide f/1.8 maximum aperture is great for low light, too. Costing $899 it’s an expensive option for serious amateurs or professionals alike, so if it’s a lens you’re considering read on to make sure it delivers the results you desire.

Designed with compactness in mind, micro 4/3 lenses go for the smallest size possible most of the time. But to achieve these dimensions, they sometimes have to compromise on image quality. In this review, we cover a wide range of standard lenses, both prime and zoom, and show that not all lenses are equal in terms of the trade-off between compactness and image quality.

Comments

Thank you for your analyses

I have been a long time visitor to your site when I need a more 'scientific' analysis of a camera or lens that I can rely on when I'm thinking of purchasing.Your articles on the micro 4/3rds lenses could not have come at a better time as I'm considering moving (in part anyway) from SLRs to 4/3rds for conevenience/portability, particularly with the imminent availability of the OM-D E-M5.On the basis of the latest reviews I would just like to know if the Olympus 12 and 45 mm are considered part of the Olympus 'high grade' lenses?Considering how well they perform against FF lenses, if Olympus can do even better then I think they've found the philosopher's stone and photographic heaven.

Strange resolution numbers at f/2.8 (especially away from the center)

My previous message was a response to Xzeihoranth, but that's not too apparent from the formatting.

I also have one further question of my own regarding this lens test. I noticed that the measured resolution values at f/2.8 are really low, much lower than at both f/2 and f/4. Could this be a measurement error? If not, what could explain such behaviour and is it common?

First replies for this comment

Hi Simont, I agree it is strange, I would also be interested in knowing why this is.

However, it appears to occur on all the camera bodies they tested this lens with.

I was thinking it could be caused by any of the following reasons:

[list][li]-a very 'different' testing methodology by DxO (perhaps taking into account more vertical resolution than any other lens testing site)?[/li][li]-individual lens fault?[/li][li]-lens design[/li][li]-a measurement error by DxO (unlikely if it occurs on all camera bodies they tested)?[/li]

[/list]

Note that the SLRGear test did not show any such behaviour:http://www.slrgear.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/1443/cat/14

The Lenstip review linked to by Xzei showed f2.8 to be one of the highest resolution apertures:http://www.lenstip.com/316.4-Lens_review-Olympus_M.Zuiko_Digital_45_mm_f_1.8_Image_resolution.html

Two differences in measurement and reporting

My guess is that there are two major factors that can account for most of the difference:1) DxO reports '35mm-equivalent' lp/mm numbers, which are 2 times smaller than the real lp/mm numbers, due to the smaller size of the 4/3 sensor.2) DxO appears to compute the resolution figures from the individual raw R, G and B channels, whereas Lenstip uses a demosaiced image. It seems reasonable that the Lenstip numbers exceed those from DxOmark, because information from all channels is used simultaneously.

Your scores for image resolution

<div id="linkdxomark">This a comment for <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Lenses/Camera-Lens-Database/Olympus/Olympus-MZuiko-Digital-ED-45mm-F18">this page on the website</a></div>Comparing this test to that undertaken by Lenstip.com I can not fail to notice a vast discrepancy between the results for image resolution. Could you explain why that is so? Because if I were to apply their values this lens would trump even to scores of it's competitors mounted on the flagship dslr's.